The NNPC says about $51 billion investment opportunities exist in the midstream and downstream gas sector to achieve the growth phase in the industry in Nigeria.

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, made this disclosure in Abuja.

He spoke at the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) 10th International Conference and Exhibition in the Nigerian capital.

In the paper titled “New Growth Phase for Gas Business in Nigeria,” Dr. Baru said that about $35.4 billion investment will be required in the gas exploration and production activities, power plants projects, fertiliser plants, virtual pipelines and flare gas commercialisation initiatives.

The GMD added that $16 billion investment will also be needed in the Free Trade Zones (FTZ) infrastructure development and concessioning, port infrastructure, central gas processing facilities, gas transmission, LPG plants, real estate development, pipe milling and local fabrication yards among others.

Dr. Baru stated that some of the key enablers that will be required for the growth of the gas sector include clear definition of boundaries between upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, appropriate pricing structure and guarantees for payment, host communities engagement and conducive environment for investors.

“Beyond growing gas for power sector, there has been a strategic positioning of the sector to support massive gas based industrialisation. The intent is to position Nigeria as a regional hub for gas based industries such as fertiliser, methanol, petrochemicals, central processing facilities, etc. The first of this effort is the planned 30 square kilometre gas based industrial park in Delta State. This will be Africa’s largest purpose built gas park supporting gas based industries,” Dr. Baru said.

According to him, to bridge the huge gas supply gap, some strategic synergy opportunities for gas development were identified amongst the Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and independent operators which when pursued and implemented will not only bridge the unforeseen long term shortfall in gas supply but will also enable the nation to meet its gas aspiration.

The NNPC helmsman noted that seven key big bang gas development projects have been identified from the strategic synergy opportunities to deliver about 3.4 billion cubic feet of gas per day to bridge the foreseen medium term supply gap by 2020.

The President of NGA, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, expressed the readiness of the association to collaborate with the Federal Government and other key stakeholders to harness the abundant natural gas resources in the country so as to reposition the country to become a regional hub of gas in Africa.

The theme of NGA 2016 conference and exhibition is: “Nigerian Gas Roadmap and Its Potential for Regional and Global Influence: Its Implementation, Challenges, Opportunities and New Way Forward.” (NAN)

•Photo shows NNPC GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru.

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